Chris Boswell named C-USA special teams player of week

<center><strong>Dec. 31: Mississippi State 33, Rice 7<br>Record: 10-4</center></strong><br>
Rice wide receiver Dennis Parks (4) is slammed to the turf by Mississippi State defensive back Taveze Calhoun (23) during the first half the 55th AutoZone Liberty Bowl. less

Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott (15) is brought down by Rice safety Julius White (7) and linebacker James Radcliffe (10) during the first half.

Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott (15) is brought down by Rice safety Julius White (7) and linebacker James Radcliffe (10) during the first half.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Rice fans cheer their team during the first half.

Rice fans cheer their team during the first half.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Rice's Tanyan Farley (48) and Jeremy Eddington (30) lead the team as they take the field.

Rice's Tanyan Farley (48) and Jeremy Eddington (30) lead the team as they take the field.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Chuck Throckmorton directs the Marching Owl Band before the Liberty Bowl game.

Chuck Throckmorton directs the Marching Owl Band before the Liberty Bowl game.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Rice quarterback Taylor McHargue wears the Owls alternate white helmet as he warms up before the of the 55th AutoZone Liberty Bowl on Tuesday.

Rice quarterback Taylor McHargue wears the Owls alternate white helmet as he warms up before the of the 55th AutoZone Liberty Bowl on Tuesday.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Rice head coach David Bailiff watches his team warm up before the of the 55th AutoZone Liberty Bowl.

Rice head coach David Bailiff watches his team warm up before the of the 55th AutoZone Liberty Bowl.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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A fan holds up cutouts of Rice wide receiver Christian Fletcher (89) and linebacker Michael Kutzler (42) while waiting for the team to arrive at the stadium for the 55th AutoZone Liberty Bowl.

A fan holds up cutouts of Rice wide receiver Christian Fletcher (89) and linebacker Michael Kutzler (42) while waiting for the team to arrive at the stadium for the 55th AutoZone Liberty Bowl.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Rice mascot Sammy greats the Owls football team as they arrive at the stadium for the 55th AutoZone Liberty Bowl.

Rice mascot Sammy greats the Owls football team as they arrive at the stadium for the 55th AutoZone Liberty Bowl.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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The Rice Owls football team receives an escort from the Memphis Police Motorcycle Squad as they arrive at the stadium for the 55th AutoZone Liberty Bowl.

The Rice Owls football team receives an escort from the Memphis Police Motorcycle Squad as they arrive at the stadium for the 55th AutoZone Liberty Bowl.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Rice players a coaches huddle around head coach David Bailiff during the team walkthrough before the 55th AutoZone Liberty Bowl.

Rice players a coaches huddle around head coach David Bailiff during the team walkthrough before the 55th AutoZone Liberty Bowl.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Rice defensive tackle Christian Covington, right, huddles against temperatures in the 30s as he walks off the field with defensive end Tanner Leland, left, and defensive lineman Stuart Mouchantaf, center, after a team photo at the Liberty Bowl. less

Rice defensive tackle Christian Covington, right, huddles against temperatures in the 30s as he walks off the field with defensive end Tanner Leland, left, and defensive lineman Stuart Mouchantaf, center, ... more

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Rice players take photos of the stadium after the team walkthrough at the Liberty Bowl.

Rice players take photos of the stadium after the team walkthrough at the Liberty Bowl.